My friend has been told her dog has something called Ostiffing Miacitus, now I don't think this is the correct spelling as I cannot find anything on the internet for this.

Does anyone out there know what it might be, she has been told there is only one treatment and if the dog doesn't respond then there is nothing that can be done for her.

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Myositis is to do with muscle inflammation, and 'osteo'-anything is to do with bones.

There is a form of myositis where the muscles waste and atrophy - the prognosis varies according to which muscles are affected.

All I know is that suddenly the dog couldn't open her mouth, then started hemoraging (sp) yesterday morning.  She has been at the vets ever since on a drip, and they say she is bleeding internally and that she is not producing any red blood cells.

They thought at first she had tetnus, as she had a bad cut on her leg and that's why the mouth closed up, but they have now ruled this out.

Think I've found it  Masticatory Myositis, it's where the body attacks the muscles around the head and jaw area.   The vets think this is what she has too.  Apparently it is treatable, but she will be on drugs for the rest of her life.  Poor little thing, she's not even 2 years old yet.

Ossifying myositis or
Myositis ossifans is an idiopathic non-neoplastic form of heterotopic ossification of fibrous connective tissue and muscle that frequently affects tissues near the hip joint in Doberman Pinschers. It may be related to a bleeding disorder (von Willebrand's disease) in these dogs. Surgical resection of the mineralized mass is usually rewarding.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/91105.htm

You also get problems around the masticatory muscles esp in westies

Thank you for the advice.  I have printed some stuff off from the internet and take it round to her.

Myositis can be a symptom of a number of infections in dogs, toxoplasma, ehrlicia and neospora - I have first hand experience of one of these and the treatment for both the infection and the myositis.  One of the other symptoms of these can be bleeding.

Masticatory Myositis can only be totally diagnosed by a test of the muscle fibres of the masticatory muscles and I believe that this test can only be done in California.

I am a friend of Diane Parry who your husband spoke to a couple of days ago so if you want to contact me personally I may be able to shed some more light on your friends dog from a first hand experience of similar symptoms.

Hope I can be of some help.

Thanks I will speak to my friend tonight and get her to come round to my place and log on.

She did want me to give her telephone number out but I will check with her first and PM you if this is still what she wants.

Many thanks to all of you.

Haunsperg

Have PM'd you.

Juliet

A member of the board called my friend Thursday night, after long talks my friend went back to the vet Friday and had her dog tested for a lot more other things that might be causing her problems.

I am still waiting to here what the results show, but the dog did go for a little walk on Sunday morning.

I will keep you all posted and many thanks for your help.